Alt Energy
From Antivist
- Solar power encapsulates a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the Sun (such as solar cells and solar cookers)
- Wind power is the kinetic energy of wind, or the extraction of this energy by wind turbines
- Geothermal power is electricity generated by utilizing naturally occurring geological heat sources
- Biomass such as wood, plants, manure, peat or dead animals can be burned to generate heat
make a solar generator for less than $300
- Buy a Solar Panel at your local Solar supply store (12 - 16 volt) for about $100 (aprox 15" X 24")
- Buy a 12 volt deep cycle golf cart battery at your local discount store for about $60 # Buy a battery box at your local Marine supply store for about $10.00
- Buy a 12 volt DC meter for about $25.00 at Radio Shack
- Buy 2 DC power adapters ( the kind of device you stick into the cigarette lighter into) If they have it, buy one with three outlets. Should run about $10 at your local auto parts store. There are a bunch of items that you can buy that will plug right into your adapter.
- Attach the meter and DC input to the top of the box.
- Use insulated wire to attach the meter to the terminals on the battery. Connect the negative (-) pole first. Connect the DC inlet to the battery in the same way. Connect the solar panel to the battery in the same way.
- It generally takes 5-8 hours to charge a dead battery; 1-3 hours to top off a weak one. It will run radios, fans, and small wattage lights all night, or give you about 5 hours of continuous use at 115 volt AC.
- Should you desire, you can also purchase a 115 volt AC inverter at your local RV store for less than $75. Doing this will allow you to run any device that requires 110 volt AC power.
